STOCKTON SPRINGS James A. McKeen, 77, died peacefully May 7, 2007, surrounded by his loving family, at a Belfast nursing home. He was born June 14, 1929, in Belfast, son of James M. and Nina (Leach) McKeen. He attended Stockton Springs High School and graduated from Beal Business College. James served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed with the 44th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in the Philippines during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged as staff sergeant. He worked many jobs, including St. Regis Paper Co., F.W. Webb, as an industrial salesman; and in retirement years, at Jerry Harriman’s True Value Hardware Stores. He was a member of Sandy Point Congregational Church; past master of Pownal Masonic Lodge No. 119 AF & AM, Stockton Springs, where he just received his 40-year pin; and a member of the American Legion Jerry W. Dobbins Post No. 157, Stockton Springs. He enjoyed antique automobiles and was having a 1940 Chevy truck restored to its original condition. He was proud that at age 71, he climbed to the top of Mount Katahdin with his son and grandson. James is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Elizabeth (Smith) McKeen of Stockton Springs; five children, Cathy Checker and her husband, Harry, of Madisonville, Tenn., James W. McKeen and his wife, Tammy, of Lisbon, Carol Tenney and her husband, Brian, of Hermon, Colleen Barnes and her husband, David, of Mountain-top, Pa., and Christy Humes and her husband, Richard, of Lisbon; 13 grandchildren, Meaghan Hettinger, Allan Gordon III, Bobbie-Jo McKeen, Shauna Baker, Sarah and Cody Ward, Susan and Sara Appleby, Jonathan, Rebecca, Joshua, Julie and Justin Barnes; four great-grand-children, Quintin and Mason Sylvester, Laura Hettinger and Silias Dorer; two sisters, Judy Littlefield and her husband, Walter Littlefield Jr., and Goldie Arey and her husband, Lloyd; special brother, George W. Smith and his wife, Becky, who was his right-hand-man during his illness; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Adams, Elida Gray, Mildred Rainey and Janice McKeen; brother-in-law, Robert Mushrall and his wife, Marsha; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brother, Darrel McKeen; and sister, Annette Mushrall. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at Sandy Point Congregation Church with Pastor Ruth Martin officiating. Interment will be at Sandy Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to CancerCare of Maine 417 State St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Tall Pines Rehabilitation, 34 Martin Lane, Belfast, ME 04915. Arrange-ments by Young Funeral Home, 31 West Main St., Searsport.
JAMES A. MCKEEN
